BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — People in Northern and Central Luzon are being encouraged to use Clark International Airport(CRK) in Pampanga as the airport of choice as it continues to develop its facilities and services.
During the Clark International Airport North Philippines Roadshow that kicked-off in Baguio City recently, stakeholders were given a walk-through of the airport’s upgrade and various developments, facilities and flight services.
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) OIC president and CEO Alexander Cauguiran urged participants to take a look at CRK saying that it would be more convenient for travelers especially from the northern provinces to take domestic and international flights there and be connected to the rest of the world.
“We are encouraging people to make Clark International Airport as the primary airport for Northern and Central Luzon; you do not need to travel to Metro Manila if the flights are available in Clark,” Cauguiran said.
“The sustaining campaign is to further promote the patronage of CRK in its catchment areas in Central and Northern Luzon especially among OFWs and their families,” he added.
Clark Airport is host to various airlines such as Qatar Airways that flies to Doha; Emirates Airlines via Dubai; Cathay Dragon via Hong Kong; Asiana Airlines via Incheon in South Korea; Jin Air via Incheon and Busan; Philippine Airlines via Incheon and domestic flights as well. Cebu Pacific via Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore with domestic flights that increased frequencies.
Caugarian said they are following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to develop the premier airport of the North and as part of government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila where millions of passengers traverse in going to the already crowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“The only way to decongest Metro Manila is to further develop Clark Airport,” he said.
The Clark Master development plan is not only dedicated to the airport terminal expansion but the entire aviation complex as well. He informed that the government has already released an initial P 2.8-billion for the construction of the new second passenger terminal to accommodate 8 million passengers every year. The second terminal is scheduled to be constructed within the next three years.
Baguio City Congressman Mark Go commended the CRK for its development and what it has to offer today. “Clark International Airport is the future aerotropolis. Its performance has been distinguished and peerless with the numerous awards it has received.”
“Clearly, the mantra of President Duterte’s administration which is “Build, Build, Build” has begun translating “promising words” into “workable realities” – a defining attitude for Clark International Airport to develop fully its wings to soar bipeds into the blue skies – and make every single flight an adventure to remember,” Go added.
The lawmaker encouraged his fellow Cordillerans to use the Clark Airport saying that airport’s proximity to the Cordillera Administrative Region makes it the most viable alternative to NAIA.
Aside from saving on time with lesser travel time especially with the Tarlac-Pangasinan Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, it also saves on cost of gas and toll fees and avoiding traffic congestion in Manila.
“There’s nothing to prevent Clark from growing its wings. This is the future primary international gateway of the Philippines,” Go said.
The CIAC Roadshow which is supported by the Department of Tourism and the local government units and targeted the people in the tourism and business sector will also be held in Dagupan City in Pangasinn, Olongapo City in Zambales, Balanga City in Bataan and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija in the coming months. (JDP/RMC/ Anne Marie & Apple Añana –PIA CAR/UCU Interns)